The tumour microenvironment includes various diverse immune cell types, each of which might influence tumour progression and response to treatment, particularly with immunotherapies. These cell types include different subtypes of B lymphocytes, which are often associated with tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and can have pro-tumour or anti-tumour effects, either through their classical function in antibody production and antigen presentation or other mechanisms. Herein, Fridman et al. discuss the phenotypic heterogeneity of intratumoural B cells and the importance of TLS in their generation, the potential of B cells and TLS as prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers, and novel approaches aiming to enhance the development of TLS and anti-tumour B cells for cancer therapy.
- Wolf H. Fridman
- Maxime Meylan
- Catherine Sautès-Fridman
